Natural Choice Directory: Gardening for Body, Mind and Spirit

As gardening season beckons, many gardeners focus on the work of producing healthy food for their families. For others, the garden represents fresh air, a little exercise, or a pleasant pastime. But is it possible that gardening can serve a higher purpose…can the act of gardening heal a troubled mind, lessen feelings of depression, or promote spiritual growth?

See what myself and others think below, via Natural Choice Directory

Award-winning Environmental Designer Pablo Solomon has spent decades studying Zen art, Japanese flower arranging, and Zen gardens, and holds advanced degrees in counseling and social psychology. He tells Natural Choice Directory that gardening can, indeed, heal troubled minds.

“Physical healing follows spiritual healing, for as we think/believe, we become,” says Judy Winkler, a gardener and a minister who uses gardening as a metaphor for teaching spiritual growth.

Psychologist Nancy Irwin believes that “Gardening can be very grounding (pun intended) because anything dealing with the earth or nature connects us to our source. The earth is stable (generally), and will not argue with you, or reject you. You are safe. You are caring for something, and watching it grow. This is a selfless thing to do.”

Life Coach and Author Mikaya Heart values nature as a healing force that cannot be underestimated. “When we are focused on being in Nature, on feeling the soil with our hands, intent on the wellbeing of the plants we are working and playing with, then we are in touch with the life force of the universe, which allows us just to BE who we are, loving and appreciating us for being who we are. Only too often, when we are with other humans, they want us to be different or they are trying to be different from who they are, and this sets up a dissonance.

To read this article in full: http://www.naturalchoice.net/blogs/Blog0412_Gardening_For_Mind_Spirit.html

 

KCAL News: The Psychology of Overspending Shopping

Do you have the urge to overspend?

I recently sat down with CBS’ KCAL News to explore the psychology of overspending.

Temptation is everywhere. For many shoppers, its not about the discounts and deals. Overspending shopping is a coping mechanism. Your overspending habits could be a reflection of your experiences, emotions- your psychological makeup. Its a way to escape some sort of pain, or to fulfill some other underlying need. Maybe its depression, perhaps you’re buying confidence!?!  Some people have shoes they want to collect, just for the sake of collecting.

To keep from overspending, experts say you have to  understand your limits and don’t ignore them. When you do charge something at a store, say its 100 dollars, go ahead and write in your checkbook a deduction for that 100 dollars. That way when your credit card comes, the money has already been spent.

Try leaving all of your credit cards at home and go shopping the old fashion way, with cash. when you see your money physically disappearing, you’re less likely to overspend. Try following the ten minute rule- the urge to purchase will probably pass.
There are value in having things, absolutely, but you want to do it in a way that you can afford, that makes you feel good, and that is in balance with your other values, so that you are not living for your stuff.

NYDAILYNEWS.COM: UPDATE – Lifetime Pulls Risqué Episode of ‘Dance Moms’

If you guys read my recent post, you know that Lifetime’s reality series “Dance Moms,” which follows young girls training at the Abby Lee Dance Company, were being ripped for one of their most recent episodes, which  involved the child dancers wearing costumes that simulate nudity.

In an update via NY Daily News,  I have learned that Lifetime will be pulling the episode from the show’s catalogue.

NYDailyNews: Lifetime has yanked a racy episode of “Dance Moms” after critics cried that the sexed-up burlesque routine was just too much.

The episode “Topless Showgirls,” which aired once on March 6, has since been removed from the schedule and won’t be made available on iTunes, Amazon or MyLifetime.com, a representative for the network told Gawker.com.

The condemned episode showed young girls prancing around in flesh-toned underwear, costumes they were told would help create an illusion for the audience that they were nude.

The show’s ringleader, choreographer Abby Lee Miller, doled out giant, pink feather fans to the girls and taught them the routine.

“I’m hot! I’m mean! You can’t have me! You can’t afford me,” Miller shouted, flailing her arms to show the dancers how to make the most of the Vegas-style costumes.

Even on the show, the girls’ mothers were horrified.

“No one ever wants to hear the word ‘nude’ associated with their 10-year-old, ever,” said one of the dancers’ mothers, Christi.

The young dancers themselves admitted to being uncomfortable with the sexy outfits and risqué routine, one saying she was nervous because she and the other girls felt “kind of naked.”

Online, the criticism ballooned, even on the show’s own Facebook page.

“Horrifying, irresponsible, exploitive, damaging,” wrote one commenter.

“This didn’t just cross the line, it exploded it. I am very disappointed that the moms didn’t stop the misdirected nightmare.”

A psychologist told Fox News the show might attract pedophiles.

“As a treatment professional of sex offenders, I can tell you that adults who are attracted to minors definitely seek out shows just like this to whet their appetites,” said Dr. Nancy Irwin.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/lifetime-pulls-risque-episode-dance-moms-featuring-girls-nude-flesh-colored-costumes-article-1.1050108#ixzz1qAO0aJ7I

FOX NEWS: ‘Dance Moms’ ‘Nude’ Dance Routine Episode Playground For Pedophiles

Lifetime’s reality series “Dance Moms,” which follows young girls training at the Abby Lee Dance Company, is being ripped for its latest episode involving the child dancers wearing costumes that simulate nudity.

Tuesday night’s episode, titled “Topless Showgirls,” featured girls as young as eight performing a sexually charged, provocative showgirl-like routine in a local dance competition, donning barely-there sparkly flesh-colored bras and panties to give the illusion of nudity.

All the girls and I feel kind of nervous because we feel kind of naked,” one of the dancers said prior to taking the stage.Pyschological experts and parents groups we talked to are up-in-arms over the stripper-esque theme, and fear that the episode could act as encouragement for pedophiles and sexual predators.

“As a treatment professional of sex offenders, I can tell you that adults who are attracted to minors definitely seek out shows just like this to whet their appetites,” Los Angeles-based psychologist, Dr. Nancy Irwin, told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column. “They may attend the shows in-person, watch them on TV and seek out Facebook still photos and YouTube clips to pleasure themselves. The sexual body movements are more concerning than the costumes.”

The raunchy routine involved girls thrusting their chests forward and backward, shimmying across the stage and even pretending to cover themselves up with big feathers as they bounced from the stage.

“I’m hot, I’m mean, you can’t have me, you can’t afford me,” Miller recited to the girls as she taught the moves, before telling the cameras: “The moms are ridiculous because all they’re worried about is their kids and their bodies and blah blah. Once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. This is show business kid.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/03/09/dance-moms-nude-dance-routine-episode-playground-for-pedophiles-experts-say/#ixzz1ojld4SfP

Fox News Commentary: Kim Kardashian’s Bra Tweet

Check out the latest with the Kardashians.

 

Reality maven Kim Kardashian took to her Twitter to post an au natural self-portrait of herself in the bathroom this week: no makeup, no designer dresses, no Burkin bags, no six-inch platform pumps.

Just her sports bra and sweats.

So was Kardashian, who has some 13.5 million Twitter followers and is considered the holy grail to many tween and teen girls, promoting positive body image with her anti-glamour snapshot? Or is she doing the reverse?

“This is quite irresponsible for someone in her position. She is tacitly encouraging girls to use their body parts to get attention,” Los Angeles-based psychologist Dr. Nancy Irwin told FOX411’s Pop Tarts. “She is in a great position to model a healthy boundary between her private and public life. She is blurring those lines and sadly potentially encouraging young girls to bare their body. When someone feels the need to post pictures of herself in her underwear, it is generally out of an excessive need for sexual attention.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/03/01/did-kim-kardashians-bra-tweet-reek-desperation-or-prove-shes-just-one-gals/#ixzz1nyJep57w

My Big Fat Greek Attitude

“People are disturbed not by the events that happen to them, but by their view of these events.” 

Epictetus, 55-135 A.D.

 I just love the Ancient Greek philosophers, particularly the Stoics.  Stoa is Greek for “porch,” which is where those great minds sat when they congregated to philosophize.  The Stoics were calm, unflappable, making nothing more or less of any reality they dealt with.  And Epictetus was born a slave, so he knew harsh reality. They believed that all suffering arises from attempting to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting to control that which we can. They also believed that human beings have a duty to care for one another, and that by doing so, one can achieve happiness and peace of mind.

Bottom line:  It’s a drama-free life.

The Cynics, on the other hand, seemed to thrive on drama.  Cyn is Greek for “dog,” and these philosophers veritably barked at those who disagreed with or displeased them.  Obviously, this is where we get our English word for cynical. Cynics generally thrive on negativity. 

Imagine, if you will, the Stoics perched (stoically, of course) on their porch, stroking heir beards, cool as cucumbers, while the Cynics chased one another around the yard barking ferociously, carping, negative, disturbing the peace.

We have a choice of how we want to move through life, moment by moment, day by day.  Calmly watching life unfold in front of you, or constantly running around and raging? Living in acceptance or ranting endlessly?

FOX NEWS COMMENTARY: Bobby Brown Won’t Attend Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Whitney Houston’s family made it clear her ex-husband Bobby Brown isn’t wanted at her funeral in New Jersey on Saturday, and shouldn’t attempt to attend, according to multiple reports. It looks like Brown got the message, as he’s slated to perform with New Edition at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut at 8pm on Saturday.

Some grief experts say it could be the right move.

“By performing the night of the funeral, he may be dealing with his grief,” said L.A psychologist, Dr. Nancy Irwin. “Again, maybe [their daughter] Bobbi Kristina prefers the comfort of others (her grandparents, aunts etc.) and maybe she blames her father for getting Whitney hooked in the first place. We do not know.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/16/bobby-brown-wont-attend-whitney-houstons-funeral-will-perform-with-new-edition/#ixzz1mfZ7gPev

FOX NEWS COMMENTARY: Concerns For Whitney Houston’s Daughter

Whitney & Daughter

Even before the sudden death of her mother Whitney Houston on Saturday, there were concerns for her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

Brown,18, was reportedly involved in a hauntingly similar bathtub scenario the day before her mom was found dead underwater. Security at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was called to Brown’s room, which was booked under her mother’s name, and on the same floor as Houston’s room. They were forced to unlock the bathroom door when Brown wouldn’t answer. According to TMZ, Brown was found asleep in her bathtub.

Then after her mom’s death, Brown was taken to Cedars Sinai hospital not once, but twice. She was first brought in mere hours after her mother’s death to be treated for stress and anxiety, according to TMZ. Then on Sunday she was removed from the Beverly Hilton on a stretcher for the same reasons before being released later that day.

“I fervently hope that … Whitney’s daughter, will get intervention immediately in the form of grief therapy. Even though she was certainly fully aware of her mother’s addiction issues, it was potentially still quite a shock to her.  None of us are ever prepared enough to lose a parent, even when it is expected,” said Los Angeles-based psychologist, Dr. Nancy Irwin. “What might best help her now is a therapist who specializes in grief as well as addictions, so that Bobbi does not try to numb out her pain through any substances. Fortunately, she does have the resources to get the best help available, and I hope her family members who maybe thinking more clearly than she right now will get her the help she needs. Hopefully, the hospital that treated her for anxiety/panic attacks this weekend will refer her to some excellent sources.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/14/concerns-for-whitney-houstons-daughter-mount-after-moms-death/#ixzz1maFrqnAt

WBGZ AM 1570 – Valentine’s Day

I have gotten really acquainted with Mike Montgomery, over at WBGZ Alton, IL.

I hope everyone had a nice love filled day. I think a great way to get a Valentine’s day spirit started, if you are in a relationship, here’s a great day to make a list, check it twice, and start focusing on what’s right about your partner. What made you start choose this person, why would choose them again? Some people might be thinking,”what was I thinking”? Well, that would be a great Valentine’s gift to give yourself. Maybe you’re not in the right relationship. That’s not the end of the world, but smart people take note of that and just start thinking about what they can learn from this. Instead of saying, “oh my gosh”, “I’ve done it again”, I’m such a loser”, “I keep dong this”. It’s OK; some of us have to have a pattern before we can wake up and make a more correct or more appropriate choice. So, take this day to focus on if your relationship is really fulfilling for you. And if you are single and you’re not in a relationship, here’s a great time to think about who have you dated over the past year, what your experiences were like, and are you really doing a good job about breaking your old unhealthy patterns and being better about choosing more appropriate new partners. Get really clear about the vision of the kind of mate you would like to attract.

Morehead State University Front Page: YOU-TURN For Students

My second college appearance this month was with Chuck Mraz of Morehead State University in Kentucky. I had the opportunity to discuss my book on their Front Page radio show.

Front Page, a half-hour talk show at 9 a.m. on Morehead State Public Radio. You will have the chance to participate in their discussions on politics, public affairs, the arts….the issues that are front and center in the mountain region. You can pick up a copy of Front Page at 9AM or catch the rebroadcast at 4PM each weekday.

Many people feel like they’ve gotten into a channel in their lives and this is their path and this is where they have to stay, but my book is all about telling people that it is not necessarily your channel; you can always change ways, even later in life. The world is changing so fast right now with technology, careers that a lot of students are choosing in their college years now my not exist in ten or fifteen years. That may sound kind of depressing, but actually the opposite can be true, because when one bulk of careers go down the tube, others replace them. Charles Darwin said “the only way to change is to keep changing”. This is the most adaptable thing about our species. It’s not the most intelligent people that survive, but the ones who can adapt to change.

To listen to the full interview, click here.